A young man doing pull-ups on HCMC metro and other breaches of public etiquette

In a crowded train surrounded by seated passengers on Friday, he used the train's ceiling grips and poles as if they were gym equipment. The incident raised questions about public etiquette and who should address such inappropriate behaviors.

Having used the Ho Chi Minh City metro daily for the past month, I've witnessed several other examples of poor behavior on both the platforms and inside the trains.

At the station, despite there are clearly marked lanes for boarding and exiting, many people stand haphazardly, blocking pathways. This forces exiting passengers to weave through the crowd. With only 30 seconds allotted for boarding and exiting, such congestion causes unnecessary delays.

A screenshot from a video shared online shows a young man doing pull-up in HCMC's Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro train on Jan 24, 2025.

Early in the metro's operation, I once saw a mother with a child who dropped food on the floor. Although she noticed what happened, the mother ignored it, neither cleaning up the mess nor using the moment to teach the child about keeping public spaces clean.

This missed opportunity reflects a broader issue of neglecting shared responsibilities. Some young people, including models promoting clothing brands, have even used the train for photoshoots, taking over entire sections and disturbing other passengers.

Returning to the pull-up incident, the act itself was not as problematic to me as the indifference to that act of the other passengers. Most people turned away or buried themselves in their phones, unwilling to engage or address the behavior directly.

There's a popular saying among Vietnam's Gen Z that goes, "If you're not uncomfortable, someone else is." But in this case, no one stepped up, even though many likely felt uneasy. The avoidance of conflict or confrontation allows such uncivil actions to persist unchecked. If no one speaks out, who will? And more importantly, who holds the authority to address these situations effectively?

Modern metro systems are more than just public transit; they symbolize progress and urban convenience. In this case, the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro system reflects those aspects of HCMC.

Maintaining a civilized environment in metro stations and on trains requires individual awareness and responsibility. Simple habits—standing in designated spots, keeping public spaces clean, offering seats to those in need, and avoiding disruptions—are essential for a pleasant and respectful commuting experience.

Uncivil behaviors do more than inconvenience others; they harm the metro's image as a symbol of modern, civilized transit in HCMC. The metro is not just a way to get from one place to another—it's a reflection of the city's culture and aspirations.

Vietnam's metro system is still in its infancy, offering an important opportunity for people to learn and practice good public manners. By building a culture of respect and responsibility on the metro, we can contribute to the nation's progress and modernization.

Rather than staying silent, everyone can help foster a respectful and civil metro culture through small, meaningful actions. A truly civilized society does not need social media outrage; it thrives on daily acts of decency from its citizens.